Selective signaling device.



wK w. HENRY L A. E. sm/ENS.

SELECTIVE SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-12.1915.

Patented Nov. 145191@ ru: nomas rsrERs co., wAsHmczroN. n. c.

narran sfrafrns PATE FFIC.

JVILLIAM WEIR HENRY, OF "WOLLASTON, AND ALTON E. STEVENS, 0F ATLANTIC,

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS T0 S. H. COUCI-I COMPANY, INC., 0F ATLANTIC, v MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION'OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SELECTIVE SIGNALING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January/.12, 191.5. Serial No. 1,739.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, WILLIAM VVEIR HENRY, ot' IVollaston, and ALTON E. STE- AvnNs, of Atlantic, citizens of the United States, and residing atthe above places in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Selective Signaling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to telephones of the inter-communicating type and has for its main object the providing of a selective system which is built up on the unit principle, so that the parts for any sized system may be kept in stock and supplied as needed, thus avoiding special construction yto a large extent.

Our invention further relates to the mountings for such name plates and numbers as are used in connection with a selective ringing and talking system, and also to other 'features of minor importance which will appear in this specification.

In the drawings which accompany and form part of this speciicatiom-Figure l is a front view of a wall set embodying our invention, with portions broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the broken line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3-3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of one of our unit blocks. Fig. 5 is a detached view showing several of the mountings for n ame-plates, being in section partly on line 2 2 and partly on line 5 5 of Fig. l, as will be later explained.

The blocks l and 2, of three and four units'v respectively, are formed of insulating material and are preferably molded to shape and provided Vwith various sockets and holes for 'the mounting of the necessary connectors and also with two or more pilot pins 3 byV which blocks l and 9. are quickly positioned within box 4, where they are secured' byv screws 5. The transmitter 6, the receiver hook 7 and a molded block 8 for the transmitter connections are likewise mounted within box 4, said box being adapted to be secured to or within a partition wall by means of screws 9.

The pilot pins 3 are preferably equally spaced between the buttons 10 so that they will always register with somer of the holes Bain box 4, whatever the vertical position of the blocks in the box. As the space between buttons 10L and l01D is the same as between the adjacent buttons on any particular block, as, l0b and 10c, and as the holes 3a are equally spaced in a vertical row, it follows that blocks l and 2 mightbe interchanged without any further labor than that of shifting them. In this way, with a suitably prepared box, a varying number of selective buttons may be supplied from stock units.

` In Fig. 1, the numerals 3 indicate pilots in place, while 3a indicates a hole that may be but is not occupied by a pilot.

In a selective telephone system, three buttons are as few as are generally used, so we,

three and four buttons respectively, any sized system may be built up, by duplication, excepting five, for which a special block may be constructed, or we may prefer to keep a two button or a tive button block in stock as one'of our standards. Furthermore, when a system requiring more buttons is needed, box 4 may be enlarged for the additional units, or a second box may be mounted against the partition wall adjacent to the rst, and in this second box additional blocks may be secured, or all the blocks may be mounted in the second box, leaving nothing but the regular receiving and transmitting mechanism in box 4, which could then be made smaller.

The spacing of pilot pins 3 is such that Vthe blocks may be interchanged without inbox 4, with its assembledfunits and receiverk and` transmitter mechanism is secured toa suitable wall by screws 9, after which' a Vith twoi'standard blocks, as 1 and 2, of`

cover-plate 12 Which is provided with an opening 13 for the projection therethrough of hook 7, and is further adapted for the mounting oi? mouth-piece 14 and for the projection therethrough of but-tons 10, is positioned as illust-rated and secured to box 4 by screws 15.

Opening 13 is internally covered by aV plate 16, secured to Wall-plate 12 by screws 17,u said plate 16 having been positioned on control the individual ringing and talking l rcircuits 1n the 'ordinary manner.

Near its outer end is a fork 22 for holding receivercap 23 and a tongue 24 on fork 22 tends to prevent receiver-cap 23 from swinging on fork 22 so as to mark or deface Wall-plate 12 or its mountings.

Buttons 10 being equally spaced, We provide a pocket opposite eac-h for a name plate or number, or both. This pocket is formed from ay single sheet of metal 25 with ends 26 and bottom 27 closed but with open top to receive the card.

In Fig. 5, the three views A, B and C are, respectively, end elevation, section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1, and section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, thus clearly showing the ears 28 which are adapted to register with narrow, slot-like openings 29 in Wall-plate 12 and secure the various sheets 25 in place Without the use of pins or screws. The openings 30 and 31 which serve to reveal the name or number card, are separated by a bridge Wall 32 which conceals a ridge 33 struck up from Wall-plate 12 to separate the name :trom the number. Ridge 33 does not completely ill the space beneath Wall 32 as it is desirable that room be left to insert a strip of Celluloid or lnica that will cover both openings 30 and 31. The feature of this name pocket is the means by which screws or pins are rendered unnecessary to hold sheet 25 in place.

Wre do notlimit ourselves to the construction shown. j

What We claim is 1. A base adapted for the mounting thereon of a telephone transmitter mechanism, an insulating button block adapted to be'mounted on said base, a telephone receiver mechanism adapted for mounting in v connection with said base; a receiver hook pivotally mounted in connection With said receiver mechanism and adapted to pendantly support a suitable receiver-cap, and a cover-plate adapted to bc secured over said base and provided With an opening for the' projection therethrough of said hook; in

combination with means formed integral with said hook to prevent said receiver-cap from striking said cover-plate when properly supported by said hook.

2. A telephone receiver-cap; a supporting hook therefor; a Wall-plate with an opening adapted for the projection therethrough of said hook; a. button-block mounted behind said Wall-plate and provided with suitable button devices; means whereby said button devices may be manipulated from the front of said Wall-plate; and means, integral with said hook and adapted to prevent said receiver-cap from striking said Wall-plate When properly suspended from said hook.

3. In a selective signaling system, a plurality of blocks, each adapted for the mounting thereon of a diiierent number of individual connectors; a cover-plate adapted to be secured so as to conceal said blocks; and means adapted to interchangeably position said blocks behind said cover-plate.

4l. In. a selective signaling system, a plurality ot' blocks of insulating material, each adapted for the mounting thereon of a different number of signaling buttons; a coverplate adapted to be secured so as to conceal said blocks and provided With openings for the projection therethrough of said buttons; and means for interchangeably securing said blocks behind said cover-plate.

In a selective signaling system, a plurality of blocks of insulating material adapted for the mounting thereon of suitable signaling buttons; a cover-plate adapt-` ed to be secured so as to conceal said blocks and provided With a row of openings each adapted for the projection therethrough of one of said buttons; independent means tor simultaneously securing said blocks behind said cover-plate; and means for alternately positioning said blocks behind said coverplate so that said buttons may project through a different series oi said openings.

6. In a selective signaling system, a plurality of blocks adapted for the mounting thereon of suitable signaling' buttons; a cover-plate adapted to be secured so as to conceal said blocks; means for simultaneously securing said blocks behind said cover-plate so that said buttons shall form a single row projecting through suitable .openings in said cover-plate; and means tor interchangeably positioning said blocks behind said coverplate. Y

In testimony whereof, We have affixed our signatures/in the presence of tvvo witnesses.

VILLIAM IVEIR HENRY. ALTON E. STEVENS.

Witnesses z Y ALBERT M. FAY,

WALDo B. FAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

` Washington, ID. C. i 

